Indias First Aquaculture Lab Accredited by NABL

INDIA - Central Aquaculture Pathology Laboratory of Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has becomes the first aquaculture pathology laboratory in the country accredited by National Accreditation Board For Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL) as per ISO/IEC 17025 : 2005.

The lab is a state-of-the-art Central Aquaculture Pathology Laboratory that was set up by RGCA, a research and development arm of MPEDA in September 2011 in Sirkali, Tamil Nadu state.

The laboratory has been serving aquaculture industry of the country by providing timely and reliable diagnosis of various diseases encountered during the culture of finfish, shrimps & freshwater prawns.

The laboratory is equipped with all the latest disease diagnostic tools and has three component units for molecular pathology, histopathology and microbiology which together helps in diagnosis of various diseases encountered by the aquaculture industry.

The molecular pathology laboratory has been routinely engaged in screening/diagnosis of 16 Crustacean (shrimp/crab) pathogens including OIE listed pathogens besides three finfish pathogens.

In addition, the laboratory conducts periodical & need based aquaculture disease surveillance in India for the benefit of the seafood export industry. All the known diseases affecting the shrimp/prawn/ fish are diagnosed at this lab which includes the recently emerged dreaded shrimp disease namely early mortality syndrome (EMS)/acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND).

The laboratory has been successfully participating in proficiency testing conducted by Aquaculture Pathology Laboratory, University of Arizona, USA (a World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reference laboratory for crustacean diseases).

With the accreditation, the lab has become the only facility for aquaculture disease diagnosis.

It is vital that fish farm operatives who are responsible for farmed fish are trained in their health and
welfare. This will help to ensure that fish are free from disease and suffering whilst at the same time
promote good productivity and comply with legislation.